Next month, the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will occur in Washington, D.C. A total of 48 teams will compete, including co-hosts USA, Canada, and Mexico. As of now, several nations have qualified, but many are still vying for their spots.
World Cup Qualifiers: Who Advances and Who Risks Missing Out?
As the final international break approaches, teams will solidify their positions for the tournament. Currently, 30 teams have already secured their places for the World Cup.
Qualified Teams
- Co-hosts: Canada, Mexico, USA
- AFC: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan
- CAF: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
- CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
- OFC: New Zealand
- UEFA: England, France, Croatia
New Developments in European Qualifiers
During the qualification process, only group winners secure automatic spots from the 12 UEFA groups. The remaining teams will enter play-offs in March, with the four best group winners from the Nations League also in the mix.
Germany currently leads Group A, tied on points with Slovakia. A crucial match between Germany and Slovakia will determine the group leader. In Group B, Switzerland leads the standings, recently defeating Sweden, which now faces a challenging path to qualification.
Group Standings Snapshot
| Group | Leader | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Germany | 12 | +7 |
| B | Switzerland | 13 | +13 |
| C | Denmark | 11 | +11 |
| D | France | 13 | +10 |
| E | Spain | 15 | +19 |
Play-off Opportunities
Even teams that fall short might still qualify through the UEFA Nations League. Prominent teams like Wales, Northern Ireland, and Sweden are in contention for a play-off spot.
In Africa, teams will compete in play-offs to finalize the four available slots. Nigeria will face the DR Congo for their chance at a World Cup berth.
CONCACAF Scenario
In the CONCACAF region, three groups are in action, with teams fighting for direct qualification and play-off positions. Both Suriname and Panama are level, while Curacao currently leads their group.
As the qualifiers progress, the excitement builds around which teams will ultimately make it to the World Cup next summer. Keep an eye on the matches in the coming weeks as nations either secure their spots or risk missing out entirely.
